Microsoft frequently rolls out
updates for the Xbox LIVE service that adds new features for Xbox
owners. The latest update for Xbox Live is coming soon with some
features set to roll out this week. Starting on August 13, Xbox
owners will be available to browse and purchase Games on Demand on
the Xbox Live Marketplace.

The update also adds a new Avatar
Marketplace that will offer props for Avatars and the ability to
download and purchase premium items like clothing for the player's
avatar. The slick Netflix
streaming service is also getting an update that adds new
features like Party Watch that lets users watch a show with friends
at the same time if the movie is supported. Content search is
improved in the update and the playback experience is reportedly
improved as well.

One key announcement that Microsoft has made
in conjunction with details on the new Live Update is to reveal that
the Xbox 360 will be the only
game console that is able to stream Netflix content. Microsoft
has announced that it has an exclusive partnership with Netflix. That
means owners of the Wii and PS3 waiting to join the Netflix streaming
service are out of luck.

Account management features will be
updated to prompt subscribers to renew their Windows Live IDs and
subscriptions when they expire. Gold member Veterans will also get a
special card and may get other unnamed perks as well.

The
update adds various fixes to the console's video display options to
make viewing content in the highest supported resolution easier to
do. User ratings are being tightly integrated into XBOX Live allowing
users to rate content on the Marketplace with a 5-star system and
games and other content will be sortable by these ratings.

Various
improvements are being made with the UI with the dashboard being
reorganized to make finding things easier. Xbox Live Community Games
has been renamed Xbox Live Indie Games, and achievement tracking and
an achievement browser is available as well. Microsoft says that ore
features are coming this fall with integration of Facebook, Twitter,
Last.fm, and Zune Video in the Xbox Live features.